VB looks for first NEC win in weekend set

BULLDOGS LOOK FOR FIRST CONFERENCE WIN IN WEEKEND SET, HOST CCSU AND FDU

SMITHFIELD, R.I. -- After a 3-0 win over intrastate rival Providence College Tuesday night, the Bryant University volleyball team returns to Northeast Conference action looking to add tallies to the win column against Central Connecticut (Saturday, 5 p.m.) and Fairleigh Dickinson (Sunday, 1 p.m.).

Saturday's matchup marks the first meeting of the season between the Bulldogs (6-13, 0-3 NEC) and the Blue Devils (9-9, 4-1), while Sunday's bout against FDU (7-10, 3-1) is the second of the year between the squads and marks the annual Dig Pink match, raising awareness for breast cancer and cancer research.

CCSU enters the contest looking to secure its first winning streak of the season, having beaten Saint Francis (PA) and Sacred Heart by 3-1 margins in each of the team's last two outings. The Blue Devils have suffered just a single conference loss in five chances in 2012, a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Robert Morris Sept. 29.

Central Connecticut is led by senior Emily Cochran's 3.42 kills per set (222 total) and boasts two players in the conference's top five for hitting percentage in senior Jamie Rademacher (.333; 147 kills) and sophomore Rachel Dunlap (.329; 100k). 

The Blue Devils' potent attack is balanced out by one of the top defensive players in the league in Brittany Schumacher, who paces all conference players with 295 digs, averaging 4.28 per set. Cochran is another strong force on defense for Saturday's visitors, having 182 digs to her name on the 2012 campaign.

Rademacher's 64 total blocks pace CCSU at the net, followed closely by rookie starting setter Makenna Lommori (58) and Dunlap (57). Lommori has put up 588 assists on the season (8.52/set) to compliment 81 kills and 150 digs.

FDU comes to Smithfield Sunday following a Saturday matchup of its own and is led by offensive powerhouse Meaghan Wheeler and her 313 kills entering weekend play. Wheeler averages 4.67 kills per set and has already found success against the Bulldogs in 2012, posting 21 kills, 18 digs and three aces against the Black and Gold during the two sides' first meeting, Sept. 8 at the Kaiser Classic. The Knights won the contest, 3-1.

The Bulldogs will look to avenge that loss Sunday as they play in honor of loved ones who have been affected by cancer during the Dig Pink matchup. Senior Macy Mitravich (Waimanalo, Hawaii) leads the team on the defensive entering the weekend, totalling 234 digs (3.49/set). Sophomore Elena Lohr (Loveland, Ohio) has been spending time at the libero position as well, and currently boasts 111 digs with 50 kills and 11 aces in 2012.

Senior captain and setter Jadith Lorenzo (Lawrence, Mass.) also contributes heavily on defense with 149 digs and has a team-best 526 assists to compliment 47 kills, 15 service aces and 17 blocks.

Junior Alexandria Clyburn (Carterville, Ga.) leads the chase on the block with 61 (2 solo), just ahead of senior captain Emily Kaup (Chandler, Ariz.), who has 59 total stuffs with four solo blocks. Kaup recently became the fourth Bulldog to cross the 100-kill threshold on the season, joining junior Kaitlyn Klein (Modesto, Calif.) (143), Clyburn (157) and rookie sensation Claire Van Dyk (New Richmond, Wis.), who paces Bryant with 195 kills to average 2.79 per frame so far on her freshman season. Van Dyk also leads the side with 27 aces and adds 22 blocks and 111 digs to her repertoire.

The two-match set marks the end of Bryant's longest home stand of the season as the Bulldogs look to come away with their first NEC victory of the year.

Can't make it to the game? Watch all weekend long on NEC Front Row or follow along with live stats at www.bryantbulldogs.com.